A number of submissions stress the importance of protecting community watersheds. One suggests that watershed restoration should be the highest priority in forest management.
Five submissions comment on the water quality of Gun Lake. It is asserted that the volcanic ash found in the soil around the lake makes harvested areas subject to erosion. The submissions state that Gun Lake provides drinking water for over 200 residents and recommend it be given community watershed status. In contrast, another submission claims there is a misunderstanding about the harvesting in the Gun Lake area. The submission maintains that Forest Practices Code standards are being met.
The Cook’s Ferry Band claims that many watersheds significant to the band do not meet community watershed requirements. The Siska Indian Band is concerned with the condition of the Siska watershed and request a moratorium on harvesting in this area until further ecological studies are undertaken. Both submissions recommend managing watersheds as separate units in order to protect environmental values.
